PRESS BOX:

Arbitrator says Saints' Graham a tight end

Arbitrator Stephen Burbank ruled Wednesday that New Orleans Saints star Jimmy Graham should be designated as a tight end and not a wide receiver for purposes of the franchise tag.

Graham had filed a grievance against the Saints, who designated Graham as their franchise player this offseason. The difference between the franchise-tag salary for a receiver and a tight end is $5.3 million.

Graham would receive a $7.035 million salary if he signs the franchise tender as a tight end for 2014. The teams also have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal.

The NFL Players Association issued a statement saying it will review Burbank's decision, and Graham could still appeal. The Collective Bargaining Agreement bases a player's position on where the most snaps were taken during the season.

Graham set a career high with 16 touchdowns last season. Through four NFL seasons, he has 301 catches for 3,863 yards and 41 touchdowns, averaging 12.8 yards per reception.

---The Buffalo Bills confirmed linebacker Koko Alonso suffered a torn ACL in his left knee while working out in Oregon on Tuesday and is expected to miss the entire 2014 season.

Alonso, the runner-up for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, was already recovering from offseason hip surgery before he hurt his knee. He will be scheduled for surgery after the swelling subsides.

SOCCER

ESPN's telecast of Tuesday's USA vs. Belgium World Cup match -- a 2-1 U.S. loss in extra time -- averaged a network record 9.6 overnight rating.

It is the highest overnight rating for a World Cup match on ESPN or ESPN2, according to Nielsen on Wednesday. ESPN's television coverage peaked from 5:45 to 6 p.m. ET with a 14.1 rating. WatchESPN peaked at 1,500,000 concurrent viewers.

ESPN's coverage posted a 5 percent increase over a Saturday afternoon telecast of the United States' loss to Ghana in the 2010 World Cup Round of 16 (a 9.1 rating on ABC). When including ABC, Tuesday's telecast ranks behind the 1994 final and USA vs. Brazil round of 16 matches for largest metered market rating.

College of Charleston coach Doug Wojcik is being investigated by the school for verbal abuse of players, according to reports Wednesday.

ESPN.com confirmed multiple reports that Wojcik, 50, has been under investigation for the past few weeks. The Post and Courier reported that Wojcik is expected to be placed on probation for the month of August and will also undergo counseling.

Players reportedly didn't react well to Wojcik's style after having played for former coach Bobby Cremins. According to ESPN.com, Wojcik's rigid style was dramatically different than the laid-back Cremins. Wojcik is 38-29 in two seasons since arriving at Charleston.